Method of constructing a home

ABSTRACT

A method is disclosed for the method of building a structure. The method includes laying a foundation; running conduit within a column form; pouring the concrete into the column form; and forming walls so as to define the structure. The walls are formed from concrete columns separated by foam. A roof is also included formed from a plurality of sections. The roof is placed in communication with the walls.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates generally to the construction of homes and buildings, and in particular to a method of building the structure to save costs.

2. Description of Related Art

Many homes and buildings in America are built using common building materials. Typical practices include a concrete foundation and wooden framing for the walls. The roof is constructed of more wooden framing. Exterior textures are added to the walls and finished interior textures are usually sheetrock and plaster. Roofs generally use a composite roof shingle. Insulation is typically added, in varying depths, to the walls and ceilings in an effort to act as a thermal barrier.

A number of disadvantages exist with typical homes and buildings. First there is an added fire risk by using wooden framing. As an alternative, some buildings are constructed using metal framing studs. These are not preferred due to cost. Secondly, costs of insulation and the effectiveness of the insulation is varied and limited. Air gaps in the walls where insulation didn't cover can act as thermal passageways making it difficult to regulate the temperature inside the home/building. Thirdly, these types of homes are susceptible to wind damage from strong storms. Tornadoes can demolish a home easily. Fourth, costs of construction are relatively high compared to other types of materials available to the industry.

Although great strides have been made with respect to home and building construction, considerable shortcomings remain. A new method of constructing buildings is needed that allows for better thermal regulation inside the building, is more resistant to storm damage, resist fire danger, and is cheaper to build thereby becoming more affordable for the public to own.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the description. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side section view of a portion of a structure built according to the method of the preferred embodiment of the present application; and

FIG. 2 is a partial section view of the roof of the structure of FIG. 1.

While the application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the application as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

The method in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional methods of building structures. Specifically, the method of the present application is configured to provide a reduction in flammable products thereby reducing fire dangers. The method is configured to provide greater control in regulating the thermal effectiveness of the structure. The method is also configured to increase the structural strength of the structure to resist storm damage. Each of these benefits are provided while the method is used to work with building materials that are more cost effective to the builder and the home owner. These and other unique features of the device are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The method will be understood as to its operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the device may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described.

The method of the present application includes steps taken when building a structure, such as a home or other building, to make the home more cost effective, safer, and efficient. Like most structures a foundation is preliminarily laid, followed by a number of walls, and finished by a roof. The type of materials, manner of construction, and steps to link each of these together is defined in more detail herein.

Referring now to the figures wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function. The following Figures describe a method of constructing a home or building (i.e. a structure). FIG. 1 illustrates a partial side section view of a structure built according to the method of the present application. FIG. 2 is a partial side section view of the roof portion of the structure displayed in FIG. 1. The structure build according to the steps of the present application is configured to increase in thermal efficiency, become stronger and more resistant to storm damage, and reduce the costs of construction.

The first step includes laying a proper foundation. The foundation is reinforced with one or more types of materials. A common material is rebar. Foundations may be of various shapes and sizes. Concrete is the preferred material and is ideal for is cost and strength characteristics. Once the rebar and other reinforcing materials are placed, the foundation is poured and permitted to set. The foundation is configured to provide one or more tie down locations that extend above the top level of the foundation after setting. These tie down locations are used to help secure one or more walls.

After the foundation is set, the walls of the structure are formed and prepped. The walls are configured to primarily consist of concrete columns and regularly spaced foam. Along the width of the wall, concrete columns are spaced apart by the foam, at some preselected distance. The distance may be a consistent value, such as 48 inches. The walls are aligned with the tie downs from the foundation. Each column is prepped and rebar is ran for each column location. Foam pieces are then placed adjacent each column prior to pouring the concrete. The foam pieces act as part of the form for the pouring of the concrete columns. Prior to pouring the concrete for the walls, conduit and wiring is run to designated locations. Once finished running wiring, the concrete is poured to form the wall. An advantage of putting the foam in prior to pouring the concrete is that the concrete will fill any voids along the surface of the foam, thereby limiting any chance of thermal passageways. This allows for greater thermal efficiency compared to conventional homes and structures.

It is noted that the exact layout of the foam in relation to the concrete can be modified. For example, as seen in FIG. 1, concrete appears to be on the inside and outside surface of the foam. In other embodiments, the foam may be adjacent the external finishing treatments of the walls. A builder may finish the outside with any conventional building material or product. A common choice would be a concrete texture (stucco). Another option is bricks. It is understood that a builder may elect to leave the concrete finish on the outside if desired. In such a case, the concrete may be additionally treated to resist water absorption and create a better seal. It is worth noting that any interior walls that are not load bearing may be built with typical wood framing.

The roof of the structure is built in sections and similarly to that of the walls. Foam is used to help act as the form for the pouring of concrete sections. A mesh of rebar is laid out and foam is fitted between the sections. The roofing panel is prewired for electricity and is matched up with tie down locations placed in the walls. The roof is poured in place above the walls. Supports and wooden pillars may be used to help the roof hold its shape until the concrete is set. The layer of concrete is built up above the rebar columns to act as the roof surface (i.e. 2 inches in thickness). By pouring the roof in place, the wet concrete is able to mate with and bond to the existing walls. The use of the tie downs between the foundation, walls, and roof are configured to strengthen the structure to resist storm damage. When completed, the foundation, walls and roof are considered one member effectively bonded and tied together.

As noted earlier, various interior treatments and exterior treatments are available. Concrete is used as a material to provide rigidity to the structure and because it is more cost effective. The use of the concrete and foam together act to create a more complete seal for thermal regulation.

System 101 includes a number of advantages, such as at least the following: 1) increased rigidity from the effective tie downs between the roof, walls, and foundation; 2) increased thermal efficiency; 3) concrete poured against the foam to create and better seal; 4) lower cost to build; and 5) availability of standard finishes for the interior and the exterior.

It is evident by the foregoing description that the subject application has other significant benefits and advantages. The present method is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the apparatus may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident any alterations, modifications, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. It is apparent that a method with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for building a structure, comprising: laying a foundation; running conduit within a column form; pouring the concrete into the column form; forming walls so as to define the structure, the walls formed from concrete columns spaced with a foam; and forming a roof structure and coupling it to the walls.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the foundation is reinforced.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein w/in the foundation is concrete. 